Zion National Park
Grotto Trail
easy FamiliesWheelchair AccessibleWildlife Viewing
0 mi Distance
45 min Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type
What to Expect
This is Zion's equivalent of a pleasant stroll through a really spectacular hallway. The Grotto Trail hugs the Virgin River between Zion Lodge and the Grotto Picnic Area, spending most of its half-mile length in the shade of cottonwoods and box elders with the canyon walls towering overhead. The path is flat, paved, and runs parallel to the road — so don't expect wilderness solitude — but the riverside setting is genuinely lovely, and mule deer are almost absurdly common along this stretch, especially in the early morning. The real value here is as a connector: link it with the Emerald Pools and Kayenta trails to build a satisfying loop without retracing your steps. On its own, it's a leg-stretcher for families, a breather between bigger objectives, or the perfect after-dinner walk when the canyon walls catch that last golden light. Wheelchair users and stroller-pushers will find it fully accessible.
Trail Details
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time 45 min
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Grotto Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Use this trail strategically as part of a loop — walk from the Lodge to the Grotto, take Kayenta Trail up to Upper Emerald Pool, then descend the Emerald Pools Trail back to the Lodge for a roughly three-mile circuit that hits Zion's greatest hits without doubling back.
Trail Tip
When the shuttle is running and the Grotto stop is packed, hop off at Zion Lodge instead and walk this trail over — you'll skip the crowd bottleneck and arrive at the Grotto trailheads (Angels Landing, West Rim) from a quieter angle.
Trail Tip
The stretch nearest the river is prime wildlife viewing around dawn — bring binoculars and watch for Steller's jays, wild turkeys, and the resident deer herd that grazes along the riverbank before the shuttle crowds arrive.
Photos
NPS
